If Park Bank is liable for not spotting Sujata "Sue" Sachdeva's $34 million embezzlement from Koss Corp. and has to reimburse the company, Koss Chief Executive Michael Koss should also be ordered to personally pay the public company he runs, the bank argues in a new lawsuit.

Grant Thornton, Koss Corp.'s former auditor, should also have to pay a portion of any award that may be ordered, Park Bank argued in the latest twist in a long-running court fight stemming from Sachdeva's massive embezzlement.

"Park Bank denies any and all liability to Koss in this case," the bank said in its action. "Nevertheless, should Park Bank be found liable to Koss (Corp.) and required to pay damages to Koss, in this case, those damages will have been the result of a common liability of Park Bank, Michael Koss and Grant Thornton, thereby entitling Park Bank to (a) contribution from Michael Koss and Grant Thornton."(10)

Scott Walker to include deer management items in state budget

The 2013-'15 Wisconsin budget will include deer management initiatives to "assure successful implementation" of the 2012 deer trustee report, according to a statement released Friday by the office of Gov. Scott Walker.

The initiatives funded in the budget will enhance Wisconsin’s rich hunting tradition and improve the partnership between hunters and the Department of Natural Resources, according to the statement.

“Deer hunting in Wisconsin is part of our DNA," Walker said in the statement. "It feeds traditions and fuels a huge economic engine for the state. My budget provisions create the infrastructure needed to implement the Deer Trustee Report to the fullest extent possible, ensuring Wisconsin’s standing not only as a national destination for deer hunting, but also a national leader in deer management.”

In 2011, Walker commissioned James Kroll as the state’s Whitetail Deer Trustee to "independently and objectively evaluate Wisconsin’s deer herd management practices." Kroll and two associates, Gary Alt and David Guynn, produced 62 recommendations for state wildlife managers. The report was released last July.

Recommendations include forming a Deer Management Assistance Program (D-MAP) to improve the partnership between hunters, landowners and DNR in managing deer on private land; updating technology to gather information on land cover to better inform decisions; and adopting a more passive approach to CWD management where the disease exists while providing the public improved access to deer testing.

Specific to these recommendations, Walker’s budget provisions include authority for DNR to:

Establish Deer Management Assistance Program (D-MAP): Develop and sustain a Deer Management Assistance Program, including setting a fee for services provided and establishing a D-MAP coordinator position within the DNR.

Invest in Updated Technology: Invest in new satellite imagery technology to provide land cover data statewide to best inform decisions of deer managers and to be used for the benefit of landowner and local government partners.

Fund CWD Testing and Surveillance: Begin charging fees for antlerless deer tags in counties with CWD, using a portion of fees to fund surveillance efforts and improve the turnaround time of and access to CWD testing.

Develop Emergency Rules: Enable DNR to begin implementation for the 2013 deer season with final implementation as soon as the 2014 deer season.

The amount of funding proposed for the deer initiatives was not released Friday.

“This is not a report that is going to sit on a shelf and collect dust," Walker said. "The budget language paves the way for progress, giving DNR the tools necessary to implement the Deer Trustee Report."

DNR has begun the initial stages of developing its system for implementation, including appointing a trustee report coordinator and establishing a set of action teams that will include conservation partners including tribal representatives, members of the public, and key department staff to define actions necessary to implement portions of the plan.

“Implementation of the report is a big job and we are ready for the challenge,” said Cathy Stepp, DNR secretary. “The report covers many aspects of deer management and will greatly change aspects of how the department manages deer in Wisconsin. We have talented staff and dedicated partners to see implementation through.”